Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY

Our guest in this week's episode is Nikki Baird, vice president of retail innovation at Aptos.2021 was a bit better for retailers following a very rough 2020, led mostly by consumer spending and surges in e-commerce orders. Are brick-and-mortar stores planning to rebound in the coming year and what will be the main things that retailers should focus on in 2022?The Biden Administration released its plan to help the trucking industry deal with its logjams, tight capacities, and difficulties finding and retaining drivers. How is the industry reacting to the Trucking Action Plan and will it make a difference both short and long term?The parcel technology sector continues to be an area of tremendous growth, as suppliers provide the tools that parcel shippers need to respond to increasing volumes and tight constraints. We look at Stamps.com as an example of a company that has expanded from its initial place in the market of selling postage, growing into a company now named Auctane that offers a much larger portfolio of services. Is this a growing trend for technology companies that serve the parcel market?DC Velocity's sister publication CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  has  a new 11-episode limited podcast series called the Top 10 Supply Chain Threats. Each week, a different threat to our supply chains is discussed, including capacity constraints, labor shortages, inflation and economics, weather-related issues, component and product shortages, digitalization, automation, and much more. Subscribe at your favorite podcast platform. Search "Top 10 Supply Chain Threats."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:AptosIndustry weighs in on Biden's Trucking Action PlanAuctane adds Spanish parcel tech startup Packlink to its shipping stableStamps.com rebrands as Auctane to meet broader e-commerce needsVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Visit Supply Chain QuarterlyListen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: ApteanOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest in this week's episode is Melissa O'Keefe, group director, product and innovation e-commerce at Ryder. Companies are looking to move their distribution closer to their customers with the aim of shortening delivery times and meeting customer expectations. But moving into urban areas with limited available land can be tricky. That's where smaller Microfulfillment sites come into play. O'Keefe discusses the advantages of a Microfulfillment strategy and what Ryder is doing to reach customers faster. We have all seen demand spike this year as the economy continues its forward direction. To meet that surging demand, distributors are looking to increase their capacities and capabilities. What is being done now and is this a growing trend in distribution?The logistics and transportation sectors are poised to regain the jobs lost during the pandemic. Estimates show that will occur this coming year, but other industries may not see their pre-pandemic employment numbers return for some time to come.DC Velocity's sister publication CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  has  a new 11-episode limited podcast series called the Top 10 Supply Chain Threats. Each week, a different threat to our supply chains is discussed, including capacity constraints, labor shortages, inflation and economics, weather-related issues, component and product shortages, digitalization, automation, and much more. Subscribe at your favorite podcast platform. Search "Top 10 Supply Chain Threats."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:RyderWalmart to build e-commerce fulfillment centers in Utah and TennesseeFedEx Express completes expansion project at Miami International AirportLineage Logistics expands near Port of SavannahLogistics and transportation sectors on pace to recover pandemic job losses by 2022Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Visit Supply Chain QuarterlyListen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: ApteanOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest in this week's episode is Glenn Richey, the chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management at Auburn University. He discusses the product shortages and supply chain delays that most of us have experienced. Richey shares why these problems are occurring, how long it all might last, and what can be done short term to alleviate supply chain pressures.The U.S. House of Representatives this week approved new legislation to further regulate maritime shipping as a way of dealing with supply chain delays. In particular the bill addresses some of the current practices of ocean carriers. The bill now moves on to the Senate. We discuss the merits of the legislation and the reaction from the supply chain community.Logistics activity continued its growth surge in November, according to the latest Logistics Managers' Index report, or LMI. We take a look at the numbers and what they mean.DC Velocity's sister publication CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly  has  a new 11-episode limited podcast series called the Top 10 Supply Chain Threats. Each week, a different threat to our supply chains is discussed, including capacity constraints, labor shortages, inflation and economics, weather-related issues, component and product shortages, digitalization, automation, and much more. Subscribe at your favorite podcast platform. Search "Top 10 Supply Chain Threats."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Department of Supply Chain Management at Auburn UniversityHouse passes ocean shipping regulation bill in bid to unravel supply chain delaysLogistics industry growth continued in NovemberVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Visit Supply Chain QuarterlyListen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: ApteanOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest in this week's episode is Mike Nervick, founder and CEO of Sleek Technologies. The recent passage of the long-awaited infrastructure bill could impact transportation and the movement of goods for decades to come. Nervick discusses the importance of the bill and how it will affect shippers and carriers.There has been a lot of coverage in the news about supply chain bottlenecks and how they could affect the holiday shopping season. Consumers have been shopping early to avoid being disappointed by not being able to get the gifts they want under their trees this year. That shift has profound implications for supply chains, and retailers in particular. We discuss how they are adapting to changing trends this peak season.The growth of online shopping and omnichannel fulfillment has resulted in the demand for smaller distribution facilities located in urban areas. We share some interesting numbers just released to back this trend.DC Velocity's sister publication CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly has  a new 11-episode limited podcast series called the Top 10 Supply Chain Threats. Each week, a different threat to our supply chains is discussed, including capacity constraints, labor shortages, inflation and economics, weather-related issues, component and product shortages, digitalization, automation, and much more. Listen on Supply Chain Quarterly's website or subscribe at your favorite podcast platform. Search "Top 10 Supply Chain Threats."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Sleek TechnologiesBlack Friday retail spending ticks up slightly as holiday peak spreads across the entire monthSmall to mid-size industrial real estate dominates leasing marketVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Visit Supply Chain QuarterlyListen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: ApteanOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest in this week's episode is Dr. Cristiano Façanaha, global director at environmental advocacy group CALSTART. He is a transportation and environmental engineer and an expert at designing and evaluating sustainable transportation systems. The world just concluded the COP26 climate conference in Scotland. Out of that meeting came several international initiatives and commitments to reduce carbon emissions. A couple of these directly affect the trucking and transportation sectors. Our guest addresses what they are and what they mean for the industry.Consumers don't trust pharmaceutical supply chains. They worry about counterfeit medicines sneaking into their medicine cabinets as well as possible damage and contamination of genuine medicines as they travel throughout the supply chain. What can the industry do to assure our medicines are safe and to restore public confidence in them?We have experienced tight freight capacity throughout this year, and it looks like it will continue well into 2022. A shortage of trucks and drivers, along with surging demand from the holiday season, will mean that rates will stay high and available capacity will not improve for the foreseeable future.DC Velocity's sister publication CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly has  a new 11-episode limited podcast series called the Top 10 Supply Chain Threats. Each week, a different threat to our supply chains is discussed, including capacity constraints, labor shortages, inflation and economics, weather-related issues, component and product shortages, digitalization, automation, and much more. Subscribe at your favorite podcast platform. Search "Top 10 Supply Chain Threats."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:CALSTART's Global Drive to ZeroStudy highlights pharmaceutical supply chain problemsFTR says trucking fleets will enjoy a strong market well into 2022Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Visit Supply Chain QuarterlyListen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: RyderOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest in this week's episode is Joe Ryan, director of intelligence and response at Overhaul Group. Cargo theft is on the rise, with some fairly significant losses during the past year as more freight moves than ever before. Beyond the loss of the cargo, there are ripple effects which amount to many times the costs of the actual products that are stolen. Ryan provides some insight as to how freight is stolen and what can be done to prevent it.The U.S. Postal Service released its latest financial report from the fiscal year that ended in September. To no one's surprise, the service lost money, as it has consistently done for years. However, this year's loss was less than the previous yearly loss. What is the Postal Service doing right, and what other changes are planned to further cut the annual losses?New research offers a potential plan for how autonomous trucks may be deployed in the not-too-distant future. The plan shows how using driverless vehicles — mainly on highway segments — could provide significant savings on transportation costs.DC Velocity's sister publication CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly began  a new 11-episode limited podcast series last week, Top 10 Supply Chain Threats. Each week, a different threat to our supply chains is discussed, including capacity constraints, labor shortages, inflation and economics, weather-related issues, component and product shortages, digitalization, automation, and much more. Subscribe at your favorite podcast platform. Search "Top 10 Supply Chain Threats."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Overhaul Group, Inc.Postal Service trims losses slightly as pandemic changes take root3PL makes headway in autonomous truckingVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Visit Supply Chain QuarterlyListen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: RyderOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our guest in this week's episode is Sarah Watt, a senior director analyst at consulting firm Gartner. With much of the attention this week focused on the COP26 climate summit in Scotland, we discuss how the supply chain industry can become more of the solution rather than the problem when it comes to climate change. Ms. Watt shares how companies can build sustainable futures that meet the goals set by the world leaders in Scotland.With so much attention on the supply chain bottlenecks we have witnessed the past few months, some retailers are taking matters into their own hands. They are acquiring their own delivery networks rather than relying on transportation and delivery partners. Third-party warehouse providers are seeing a huge jump in demand for their services. With inventories on the rise and peak season upon us, retailers and other distributors are turning more and more to 3PLs to help them keep their fulfillment promises.DC Velocity's sister publication CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly began  a new 11-episode limited podcast series last week, Top 10 Supply Chain Threats. Each week a different threat to our supply chains is discussed, including capacity constraints, labor shortages, inflation and economics, weather-related issues, component and product shortages, digitalization, automation, and much more. Subscribe at your favorite podcast platform. Search "Top 10 Supply Chain Threats."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:GartnerQuiet Logistics acquired for $350 million by its client, American Eagle OutfittersAbercrombie & Fitch turns to crowd sourcing to expand same-day delivery3PLs grew order volumes in 2021Logistics' extended expansion run continued in OctoberVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Visit Supply Chain QuarterlyListen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: RyderOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Yossi Sheffi, a professor of engineering systems  at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics. Dr. Sheffi has written a new book called A Shot In the Arm: How Science, Engineering, and Supply Chains Converged to Vaccinate the World. He joins us to talk about the development of successful Covid-19 vaccines in record time — including the science behind them and the supply chains that enabled them.Containers are stacking up at West Coast ports as bottlenecks continue amongst record levels of cargo passing through them. This week, several initiatives were unveiled to try to alleviate the congestion.The shortage of truck drivers has reached an all-time high, according to a report released this week by the  American Trucking Associations (ATA). What can be done to reduce the shortage and attract new drivers to the industry?DC Velocity's sister publication CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly began  a new 11-episode limited podcast series this week, Top 10 Supply Chain Threats. Each week, following this week's introductory episode, a different threat to our supply chains is discussed, including capacity constraints, labor shortages, inflation and economics, weather-related issues, component and product shortages, digitalization, automation, and much more. Subscribe at your favorite podcast platform. Search "Top 10 Supply Chain Threats."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:MIT Center for Transportation and LogisticsWest Coast ports announce fourth attempt to clear container backlogDriver shortage reaches record highVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Visit Supply Chain QuarterlyListen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: Zebra TechnologiesOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, our guest is Bryan Palma of Kinaxis. Retailers are in for an uncertain holiday season, as inventories are out of whack and demand is difficult to satisfy. What should retailers and consumers expect from this year's peak season?There are some new unicorns among supply chain startup companies. These are firms that have reached $1 billion in valuation. What makes them so attractive to investors?Maritime ports have all reported near-record levels of cargo passing through, and there is little end in sight to the high volumes they must support. This week, some ports are reporting their latest statistics and offering some solutions to help with supply chain bottlenecks.DC Velocity's sister publication CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly is beginning  a new 11-episode limited podcast series, The Top 10 Supply Chain Threats. Each week, following an introductory episode, a different threat to our supply chains will be discussed, including capacity constraints, labor shortages, inflation and economics, weather-related issues, component and product shortages, digitalization, automation, and much more. Subscribe at your favorite podcast platform. Search "Top 10 Supply Chain Threats."Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:Kinaxis websiteFlock freight lands $215 million VC round for its freight carpooling modelEast Coast ports post record volumePort of Oakland calls for more cargoVisit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. Visit Supply Chain QuarterlyListen to Supply Chain Quarterly's Top 10 Supply Chain Threats podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.Podcast sponsored by: Zebra TechnologiesOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITYTop 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

Our supply chains are broken. We face many obstacles that will be with us for the coming months, and possibly years. This month, our sister publication CSCMP’s Supply Chain Quarterly will launch “Top 10 Supply Chain Threats,” a new 11-episode podcast that looks at the top 10 threats currently facing supply chains. LinksAbout CSCMP's Supply Chain QuarterlySubscribe to CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly Sign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly